Familia Torres Salmos 2019

A juicy and precise Priorat with some dark earth and sous bois. A hint of game and peppercorns to the racy dark cherries and raspberries that extend onto the medium- to full-bodied palate, before a lengthy, nuanced finish. Elegant and precise. A lot more ethereal than the past. Garnacha and carignan. Drink or hold.

Deep ruby-red in the glass, this wine has aromas of black cherry, butterscotch, and a hint of smoked bacon. A smoky notes transitions to the palate, joined by black-cherry, blackberry, violet, caramel, milk-chocolate, sage-leaf and lavender flavors. Opulent tannins ply the mouth and linger alongside a note of chocolate-covered-cherry.

The 2019 Salmos was produced with a blend of 56% Cariñena and 44% Garnacha (no more Syrah) from the higher part of the village of Porrera, all in transition to organic farming. They did a shorter maceration, and the élevage was 50% in 3,000-liter oak foudre and 50% in 300-liter barrels and lasted 16 months. It has 14.05% alcohol and very good freshness parameters. Seventy-five percent of the grapes came from a higher altitude, cooler climate and longer cycle, and those grapes, for the first time classified as Vi de Vila from the village of Porrera, took the drought better. There is a note of black fruit and hints of licorice, a little darker and earthier than Perpetual. It has abundant, slightly dusty tannins with some spiciness and a touch of oak. 60,041 bottles, 200 magnums and 30 double magnums produced. It was bottled in February 2022.